What Our Clients Are Saying...

James Graham: "Prior to working with ExceptionalTrader, I had spent the majority of my professional, trading and personal life aimlessly going through life’s daily motions, rudderless without any clear direction on my life’s purpose, values and beliefs." Read more . . .

Prior to working with ExceptionalTrader, I had spent the majority of my professional, trading and personal life aimlessly going through life’s daily motions, rudderless without any clear direction on my life’s purpose, values, and beliefs.

The ExceptionalTrader group processhas addressed the above head-on, being the Game changer for all aspects of my life. The process helps you peel back the onion of yourself and to take a good, honest and detailed look in the mirror – warts and all. Facing up to the true facts helps you take FULL responsibility of your life’s journey.

For my trading journey, I had spent a considerable amount of time and money on technical analysis tools, software and “guru” trading books, hoping that I could naively “copy” and adapt someone else’s trading methodology and call it my own. The ExceptionalTrader group process has turned this thinking upside down and takes a refreshing, detailed iterative approach by providing a rich source of tools and information to help you define and OWN your:

Michael DenBleyker: “Whether you are a seasoned trader or newly attempting to navigate the trading business, the process is an opportunity to discover things about yourself and your business that will enlighten you and may even surprise you." Read more . . .

“Whether you are a seasoned trader or newly attempting to navigate the trading business, working with ExceptionalTrader is an opportunity to discover things about yourself and your business that will enlighten you and may even surprise you."

Before I began to go through the assessment process, I had been working on my trading business on a seasonal basis for many years. I’d spent that time trying this and that methodology, this and that charting package, technical charting styles, indicators, various time frames, etc. etc., on and on. I read many of the popular books. I also tried trading someone else’s recommendations thinking I would learn something. (You know, the newsletter guys— the ones that do all the work and just tell you when and how to trade. Maybe I just had a run of bad newsletters but I’ve lost as much money trading someone else’s trades as I have in my own independent fumblings). I tried just about everything! What I didn’t understand or recognize back then was that I needed to learn to think for myself. The markets are big and unpredictable, unfamiliar entities that demand from us disciplines and skills we probably didn’t acquire in other life accomplishments. And they are approached from so many angles, methodologies, philosophies, and dimensions that finding your niche can be an extremely daunting task. This difficulty is amplified when we do not build our approach to the markets in harmony with who we are, how we think, and many other aspects of our personality. I have come to recognize that many traders, including myself, may be complicating an already difficult task by using methods and tools that are not congruent with who we are.

It is a huge accomplishment, and an important step forward in our trading journey, for us to find our own independent voice and build a trading business that is totally congruent with who we are. With this established, we are better equipped to sort through the sea of possibilities in the world of trading. There’s a lot of great instruction and advice out there. An earnest student can fill notebook after notebook with good ideas and wisdom learned from other traders. It can be overwhelming! What we must learn to ask is, “Is this bit of advice, wisdom, or trading knowledge good for ME?”

ExceptionalTrader's process well defined by its name. It is a process that helps us discover the basic starting points of our quest: who we are, what we believe, how we think, how to think, how we best function, how we best learn, what drives us, and who we want to align ourselves with as we go forward in our quest. It is a comprehensive assessment and discovery process at a fundamental level.

It is my opinion that working with ExceptionalTrader cannot be anything but beneficial to the trader who applies him or herself seriously to this process.”

Jonathan Greenfield: “The ExceptionalTrader group process is a 'Game Changer' plain and simple, on so many levels. It’s a must for seasoned as well as beginning traders. Yes, the process pertains to trading. Yet it expands to many different and personal aspects pertaining to work, culture and beyond." Read more . . .

"The ExceptionalTrader group process is a 'Game Changer' plain and simple, on so many levels. It’s a must for seasoned as well as beginning traders. Yes, the process pertains to trading. Yet it expands to many different and personal aspects pertaining to work, culture and beyond. The process is synonymous with achieving and living a successful life based on how you define it. That’s key. Some of the concepts were familiar to me based on past reading.

But literally by “doing the work” I’ve set something amazing in motion and created new positive habits – not only as a trader, but also as a father, husband and human being. I FINALLY know where I am going.

To be sure, working with ExceptionalTrader literally helped me to define my individual trading culture based on what works best for me, and what I personally identify with. I have reclaimed valuable time by having a set of focused rules and processes. But most importantly I believe I now know how to learn from my errors, and trade without getting caught up in the emotion. I have my rules and simply execute trades based on my rules and my own research. When I started out I expected to explore and define my trading culture and my anchor trades. What I didn’t expect was discovering what I believe is the basis of the process itself, and that is VISION.

I thought I knew why I chose to trade. But looking back at where I was I didn’t have a clue; I lacked a true “vision” uniquely defined by me. Coming to terms with this was the most powerful part of the process. It, in itself, is a 'Game Changer.' One cannot even begin to trade successfully unless he or she knows where they are going.

I believe I’m becoming a trader, not just acting like one. That’s the difference. I really believe I’m on my way to being one of the 3% who make it and last in this business. That belief would not be close to a reality had we not crossed paths.

I can’t help but recommend ExceptionalTrader to any trader, seasoned or brand new. Trading is about so much more than technical tools, systems and software. Working with the ExceptionalTrader team is a true reality check. And this process, if done honestly, will propel any trader toward their personal potential.”

Floyd Hagen: “I have always had an evolving idea of where I wanted to go, but it was never anything more than a vague notion that I would follow as I went with the flow of life. I kept my eyes open and grabbed opportunities when they presented themselves, but I never had an actual plan to maximize them." Read more . . .

“I have always had an evolving idea of where I wanted to go, but it was never anything more than a vague notion that I would follow as I went with the flow of life. I kept my eyes open and grabbed opportunities when they presented themselves, but I never had an actual plan to maximize them.

The ExceptionalTrader group process sent me back to the beginning. I looked at my values for the first time. I focused in on my life’s vision for the first time. Instead of setting disjointed and random goals, and just doing “what feels right,” I set goals to lead me towards my vision. I learned new methods for creating and establishing goals. I learned how to evaluate my process towards those goals, and how to use completed goals to create new and higher goals. I finally have a map to get me where I want to go. It is my map. I created it.

I now own a business that has a real culture. We have a real vision based on our values with real goals to maximize those values. We have documented policies and procedures based on the Kaizen Principle. We have employees that are excited to be part of our company; who see the benefits of making sincere contributions to the company’s success. We are running circles around our competition. I cannot say none of this would have been possible without the work I did with ExceptionalTrader, but, without a doubt, I can say it has pushed us a lot further a lot faster than I could have imagined.

In addition to owning a small business, I’m building a trading business from the ground up using what I have learned with ExceptionalTrader. Before, I really had no direction to this venture. Once again, I had vague notions of what needed to be done, but not how to do it. Everything I read, watch, or hear about becoming a successful trader, says we have to find something that works for ourselves, but the ExceptionalTrader group process teaches me how to create my own system. There is a very important distinction that I need to make between finding and creating.

Whenever someone loses something, for example car keys, I like to tell them, “They’re in the last place you’ll look. Just go there first.” If we look at trading the same way, no wonder 90% of us fail. We can’t afford to look everywhere for a system that works for us. There are limitless opportunities and possibilities in trading. By the time we find a system that works, the game is over. We are out of cash and emotionally defeated. What if you could make your own keys?

The work with ExceptionalTrader takes us back to the source of where one’s trading business begins, ourselves. We learn how to create our own system based on who we are, where we are, and what we need to achieve our goals. Instead of burning through our resources hoping to find a system that fits us or at least one we may be able adapt to ourselves; wouldn’t it be better to create our own? One that fits our goals, our values, our vision, since we created it. Better doesn’t necessarily mean easier.

It was a lot of work building the structure, much, much more than I thought it would be, but throughout the whole process, the light at the end of the tunnel was shining brighter and brighter. Before, there was no light. There was no tunnel. Now, I have a structure and something to look towards, but I am nowhere near done. I won’t ever be finished. I want to keep improving, to keep moving the light down the tracks. I will use the tools I have from the ExceptionalTrader group meetings, one-on-one meetings, and the roundtables to relentlessly pursue and attain, the trail of goals leading to my vision. Then, when I reach my vision, and grab that light at the end of the tunnel, I will pick it up and heave it as far as I can.”

Neri Lugo: "It’s been greatly inspirational to me to see what can be accomplished through having a deliberately structured process based off of a clearly defined personal culture. It’s been not just a gift but a blessing that will yield benefits to me for rest of my life and I am eternally grateful to you for sharing it with me." Read more . . .

“Terry , first, I’d like to thank you for your work. It’s been greatly inspirational to me to see what can be accomplished through having a deliberately structured process based off of a clearly defined personal culture. It’s been not just a gift but a blessing that will yield benefits to me for rest of my life and I am eternally grateful to you for sharing it with me.

As I had stated during our group meeting this week I am more than happy to participate in and help facilitate the process of our self-directed group meetings to the degree that I’m best suited.
Now, I’ve taken this past week to reflect on where I’m at, why I’m here and what my best options are going forward. Actually, the process has been going on for a bit longer but I specifically put everything else aside this past week and purely focused on my “Present Position”. And I’ve come to a couple definitive conclusions regarding my business/career priorities. They are as follows:

#1 My personal trading – This is by far the top priority to me from a business perspective. I love the process of trading. I’m deeply passionate about it. And if it’s not available to me then I’d rather move on to a completely different line of work within a different industry.
#2 My personal Market Profile subscription and education program – From the beginning this was meant to augment my growth as a trader. It evolved into an opportunity to supplement my income while refining my trading skills. I believe in the value of the content I produce. I believe in the value of all the hard work I’ve put into the developmental process both past and continuing. I’m also keenly aware of the business growth opportunities that would be made available as a reflection of the promotion and sales of WindoTrader software.
#3 I love your platform. I think it’s hands down the finest Market Profile based software available. Everything about it is top notch and to me that’s a direct reflection of the talent, hard work and passion of the people running the company (yourself, Maril & Eric). Like your group process program, I am very much aware of how much it has benefited me.
As always I look forward to your perspective and advice. Thank you again!”

Paul Movizzo: "ExceptionalTrader's approach to codify what time, energy, and money management are made me realize that I was not applying my strengths in a focused way. I quickly recognized I did not know how exactly how I process information to reach trading decision points. But going around the road map the first time enabled me to break down each component of my foundation, examine it, and refine it." Read more . . .

My journey to trading full time brought me to Exceptional Trader at a critical point of self-assessment. I began the group-process road map with my vision of what trading means to me, and a course goal of broadening self-understanding to enable better market understanding. With all the information available on both topics it is easy to lose your orientation of where and how to really begin a repeatable process that can build a resilient trading foundation.

ExceptionalTrader's approach to codify what time, energy, and money management are made me realize that I was not applying my strengths in a focused way. I quickly recognized I did not know how exactly how I process information to reach trading decision points. But going around the road map the first time enabled me to break down each component of my foundation, examine it, and refine it. Now I am back to square one with greater awareness of my strengths and how to manage weaknesses.

I enjoy working with Terry and Paul because they have your best interest as their number one priority. The quality time they spent to know who I am formed a valuable, productive, and enduring relationship that will enable my journey to success as a fulltime trader!

Olawale Okegbola: "I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I committed to your process. However, after completing it, I can truly say, the ExceptionalTrader group process is a TOTAL GAME CHANGER for anyone who is serious and willing to commit to the process. I would tell anyone who’s thinking about enrolling in the course to be ready, and only if they’re willing to own it, for a change in their life." Read more . . .

“I apologize ahead for the length of my letter, but I want to communicate “in detail” how much the ExceptionalTrader group process has made a tremendous impact in both my trading and personal life.

My Trading Life – When we first talked about the program approximately 4-months ago – I was very – very – very skeptical. My trading wasn’t consistent and I didn’t want to commit myself or my money in a program that I wasn’t sure would work for me.

However, after reading “The Catalyst” and talking with you a month after I completed the book, I decided to give your group process a shot because I began to sense there might be some value to this program. Boy……I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I committed to that process.

However, after completing it, I can truly say, your work is a TOTAL GAME CHANGER for anyone who is serious and willing to commit to the process. I would tell anyone who’s thinking about enrolling in the course to be ready, and only if they’re willing to own it, for a change in their life. Below are some examples of how this experience changed my trading life.

It helped me understand why and the purpose for developing a Trading Culture that I can define, own and live every day I trade the markets.

It helped me clarify why I wanted to be and why I’m now a Professional Trader.

It helped me give some serious thought and to define my Outcome Goals and Process Goals. (I find the process goals to be more important than the outcome goals, because focusing on the process will lead me to the outcome I desire)

It taught me how to analyze my trading strengths and weakness

It helped me define what are “MY” trading opportunities

It helped me identify threats and deal with the threats to my trading success

It helped me evaluate, define and organize my:

Trading Environment

Trading Process (what I do before, during, and after a trading session)

Trading Methodology (how I enter, manage, and exit trades)

It helped me expand my network in the trading community

I am pushing myself to challenge the way I think and trade. I have a new found desire to read books that are geared to improving my life and the way I think. And I find myself managing my time better so that I can get my daily family and professional goals accomplished.

My Personal Life –

As I mentioned earlier, I wanted my wife and my daughter to describe how your process has changed and improved my personal life

Krissi (wife): I see a very positive change (still seeing great improvement everyday) in my husband since he began this journey. Although it’s been a short road, it feels like eternity. The expedition that my husband has chosen to embrace has gradually made him into who he has become today and who I know has the potential and drive to be in the future. Before Olawale began his lifelong dream/career of being a part of the market world, he would always impress me how much he knew, how well he spoke, and the drive he had when he really wanted something. I thought that was something like non other, until he started the ExceptionalTrader process.

Now, I see how much time he has not only invested in his work, building the business and becoming an expert, but he invests just as much time in himself and family. He pushes himself to become better every moment of each day. I know that it takes a great amount of sustenance for one to “hang in there” during the tough times. We’ve been there more than once in life, but he always finds the strength to keep pushing and believing.

Having great mentors, whether it be personal or professional, has helped him grow tremendously as a person, as a husband, a father and as a trader. Wale is soaring now, and there isn’t much, if anything, that is going to get in his way. Anyone that dares associate themselves with Wale better be ready to soar with an Eagle because there is no stopping him now! He’s incredible and as his wife, words cannot express how very proud I am in him.

Deja (daughter): My dad asked me to talk about the changes I have noticed in him since he started this course. Well, I can say I noticed a deeper sense of drive within him. My dad has always been a man with drive, but since he started training, that sense has deepened and become more of second nature to him.

He has also become more understanding if that makes any sense. I have noticed him sit back and listen more before either jumping to conclusions about anything or saying he can do it alone. He asks for help more. I have noticed a stronger desire in him to connect with us, his family. Between me and him, our talks have gone more from adult to child, to father to daughter life mentoring. He has a keener sense of understanding. That training course has helped him in more ways than one; not only with his business, but also within his family and I think I speak for all of us when I say, “Thank You”.”

Paul Petrillo: " . . . more importantly you encouraged me to not settle for anything less than a trading plan and methodology that is mine aligned with my values. I designed it, and I own it, unlocking power that is unique to me alone." Read more . . .

“Terry, I have been wanting to reach out to you for some time to simply thank you for all you have done for me and my family.

As I reflect back on my trading history I realize that it was not until our paths crossed and I was exposed to your counsel and training that I began to make tangible strides towards taking ownership of my trading and other areas of my life.

Prior to our relationship, I had jumped at every chance to throw money on a quick path to success in the hopes that it was really just that easy. Not only did you help introduce me to and give me an understanding of market profile along with tools to interpret the auction process, but more importantly you encouraged me to not settle for anything less than a trading plan and methodology that is mine aligned with my values.

Through your process, I designed it, and I own it, unlocking power that is unique to me alone. This coupled with Blue has given me a distinct advantage over all my competitors in the marketplace. I am most grateful for your development of the Square one process that takes the main components of your one on one process, breaking them down into bite size portions allowing just about anyone that is willing to do the work and take ownership of it and build on it going forward. Your teams commitment to ongoing support was and still is today priceless in helping me continually refine and build my business.

It goes without saying that Marilyn has had a significant influence on the culture of WindoTrader helping to attract team members such as Eric and Mark to name a few, as well as helping your clients pursue their own independence while being part of a trading culture that is much bigger than ourselves individually. A community that shares, collaborates, and encourages everyone to obtain their individual potential.

Please feel free to share this note with anyone who may be considering your offerings, and to anyone reading this in that position I would only say that becoming a master at anything is a journey, not just a decision. Much like a race, it needs to have a start, it needs to be run, but most importantly it needs to be finished. We are all good at starting races in life that’s the easy part, why not be part of a team that will see you through to YOUR finish?
Tina and I are grateful for your investment in us and Blessed to be able to have you in our lives as friends. We really are all in this together…

Peace to You,

Paul”

Nicole Pritchard: "I constantly struggled with confidence -- so I would get in and out of trades. The worst was when I got scared out of winning trades and ended up losing money for the day -- even though my analysis was correct. In spite of my faults, I am proud to say that I got to the point of being a break even/ slightly profitable trader. That said, I was still winging it, flowing up and down like the markets I study. The ExceptionalTrader group process was the mirror that I needed. It opens your mind up to so many options that you didn’t even know about before." Read more . . .

“When I started trading, I was bombarded by methodologies, ideas, structures, and processes that I learned from some insightful people and also some not so insightful people. As I continued on my journey, I arranged my knowledge and beliefs about the market in an unconscious manner. That is to say, I didn’t know what I didn’t know and I wasn’t sure what information was the most valuable. I was always so busy trading, that I never looked in the mirror to see who I was. Additionally, I constantly struggled with confidence- so I would get in and out of trades. The worst was when I got scared out of winning trades and ended up losing money for the day- even though my analysis was correct. In spite of my faults, I am proud to say that I got to the point of being a break even/ slightly profitable trader. That said, I was still winging it, flowing up and down like the markets I study.

ExceptionalTrader's group process was the mirror that I needed. It opens your mind up to so many options that you didn’t even know about before; like seeing yourself wearing a yellow shirt, then holding up blue, purple and red shirts and saying, “you know I think I like blue better- it makes my eyes pop. Also, lets make it boatneck and pair it with some skinny jeans, grey boots and so on because that would look good on me too.” You can only do that when you have a mirror and you actually take the time to see what you are wearing and what your options really are.

Engaging in the process has caused me to question everything that I do as a trader. From my cup of coffee in the morning to the type of trades I take during the session. I have stepped back from the tree and I am looking at the forest. I am mindful as to which tasks I accomplish and how they fit in my day. I know my strengths and weaknesses, where to heighten my focus and where to draw back.

Overall, I have gained the tools needed to increase my confidence as a trader, to grow and adapt in a mindful fashion and to steady myself in the midst of dizzying market activity. I have navigated who I am as a trader, what I value and where I am going. More importantly, I know what questions to ask myself as I continue to spur my own growth.”

Carl Rohsenberger: "Bottom line is that the content of ExceptionalTrader is, itself, exceptional. Moreover, you all work very hard to meet and exceed expectations. Many people will benefit from ExceptionalTrader provided they have the internal fortitude to potentially undergo great change and improvement. Thanks for everything.” Read more . . .

“Please allow this letter to serve as a summary of my positive thoughts regarding your ExceptionalTrader program, of which I have been a student since March, 2015.

Prior to starting my ExceptionalTrader development process, I was more or less an amalgam of many trading styles and strategies that I had learned and observed from others. Copying others was not working for me, and I was lost for a solution. ExceptionalTrader was the solution I was seeking. Specifically, here are the key features and benefits I have enjoyed:

– First, you are “all in” in supporting and educating, and personally committed to serving me. That’s huge.
– Establishing “why” I trade, and does it make sense for me.
– Establishing what works in trading, specifically with market profile, and correlating that with charting software.
– Discovering what trading strategies “work for me”, and keeping them very simple.
– Proper trading rules and risk management.
– Establishing my trading culture (how I do things), and taking personal ownership and responsibility for preserving it.
– Ongoing work with me on my trading psychology.

Bottom line is that the content of ExceptionalTrader is, itself, exceptional. Moreover, you all work very hard to meet and exceed expectations. Many people will benefit from ExceptionalTrader provided they have the internal fortitude to potentially undergo great change and improvement. Thanks for everything.”

Karl Sanda: "I now have a plan, I am very proud to say. Something that I had feared for so long has emerged from MY mind. It will never be finished and it will only get better. I am no longer trying to trade anyone else’s plan, I am trading my own and I believe that I will succeed." Read more . . .

“During my life, I have faced many challenges as everyone has, but I have always been a Lion charging forward and doing my very best to meet the oncoming foe and defeat it. I can easily superimpose my image over Muhammad Ali’s as he stood over Sonny Liston upon winning his first title. I can do the same on my level. These wins, draws or loses were all physical in nature. I walked on the field to win – period.

Over 20 years ago I decided that I wanted to trade. I did what most people that try to become a trader do, I failed. I lost money, it hurt, but I was more determined than ever. I knew that the Holy Grail existed, it does not, I was proved wrong again. It hurt. I lost more money. Luckily I was a hard worker in my business and made enough to stage a comeback.

During this test of will, I have never given up. Every time I was knocked down, I got up. Finally, I said, enough of this BS. I stopped trading and I started looking for better sources of knowledge. I found find Mark Douglas’s “TRADING IN THE ZONE”. Since reading it I have steadily increased my knowledge of what it really takes to run my trading business.

After many attempts to learn, I realized that if I was going to be successful, I had to find a way to learn what was going on inside those bars on my screen. Even if you shorten their duration to one minute, there is a minute of information that I was not allowed to see. I got lucky again and found Market Profile. I set out on my quest of MP knowledge. I found Jim Dalton and read his books and watched his webinars and the software he used.

This program was WindoTraderBlue. Still another challenge, the program was not taking new customers until they published their new version. I sent email after email and finally one day I received the response that changed the game. I was taken into the fold of a wonderful group of people that have a huge heart and a real commitment to helping their subscribers. I have learned so much but there is still another obstacle.

The Trading Plan, what a fearsome foe. My wall of resistance surrounded me. I am not proficient enough to do anything as difficult as to write a plan that will help me defeat the best and the brightest minds in the world. Terry believed that I could do this and that I was not any less intelligent than any of them. He invited me into his ExceptionalTrader group process. My world has been turned upside down. I did the work, it’s taken me hours every day, but slowly I have seen a change. My eyes and mind seem to have hooked up for possibly the first time.

I now have a plan, I am very proud to say. Something that I had feared for so long has emerged from MY mind. It will never be finished and it will only get better. I am no longer trying to trade anyone else’s plan, I am trading my own and I believe that I will succeed.

I coached football for 10 years. Every season with a fresh bunch of young men to teach how to defend themselves on the football field. I loved coaching, it was possibly the happiest period of my life. I think that I can say that Terry and the team must be feeling the same.

I am indebted to them and my Process classmates in this class.
Thank you for this opportunity to express my thoughts.”

Kimberly Schulz: "I found the ExceptionalTrader group process to be packed with great content and delivered in a way that made sense for me. It filled in some missing pieces so that I can take my trading to the next level. I’m also grateful to finally be part of a “round table” of like-minded traders, which is offered to those participants who complete the ExceptionalTrader group process." Read more . . .

Everyone is busy, my life is no exception. In the past, I was busy with a demanding sales job in Corporate America. Now I have three young children and a new career as a trader. My life is easily 3x more busy now. Yet I wanted to make the time to set a good foundation for my trading. It’s just more efficient in the long run. Working with ExceptionalTrader has filled in the missing gap I knew I had in my training up to that point.

I’ve found The Market to be a vast ocean of opportunity. While it’s easy to get lost, disoriented or overwhelmed with all the information and ideas out there, I do believe it’s possible to cross the ocean from novice to professional, from frustration to success. The keys for me were

Getting clear on my current position, and

Understanding what kind of process I’d need to layout for myself in order to build my best trades.

I had sought out other big name coaches, but they were either too generic, couldn’t understand what I was trying to accomplish specific to trading, or they weren’t able to individualize their training at a level that was useful.

I found the ExceptionalTrader group process to be packed with great content and delivered in a way that made sense for me. It filled in some missing pieces so that I can take my trading to the next level. I’m also grateful to finally be part of a “round table” of like-minded traders, which is offered to those participants who complete Square One.

In short, I highly recommend for anyone to work with ExceptionalTrader; someone who knows there is no final destination, just ascending levels of mastery.

Eric Sheetz: "Terry, you have my gratitude. I feel more empowered to continue the work of becoming a pro than ever before. I feel that I have the tools and resources to continue the process of discovery. Discovering what works for me. Discovering what doesn’t. Feeling the freedom to fail. And feeling the freedom to succeed." Read more . . .

“Asking me to do a core dump on your ExceptionalTrader group process is an invitation to get more than desired. Once I get on a roll, a stream of consciousness can turn 500 words into 2,500.

Quick recap: Fascinating group of individuals – I felt like I was among a group of like-minded people. People who’ve suffered the same pains I have, but also see the same potential for greatness that I do. I learned some setups that I hadn’t seen before; I discovered some additional functionality in Blue that I hadn’t seen before; I discovered a difference of opinion in market analysis.

Great content. I feel like it will take me a few years to read every resource that you pointed us to. I have mixed feelings about this. First; I love that there’s somewhere to go. I love that there’s more. Second; it feels overwhelming. The emotions I feel about this reveal some values, beliefs, and meanings that I hold at the surface. (1) I value the completion of tasks and projects. I feel a need for closure. (2) When that closure is fleeting or requires a long time I anticipate failure by way of a succession of suffering experiences. (3) The meaning that I place on these doubts is that I won’t be able to fulfill my value of closure.

Freedom and invitation to be expressive. I enjoyed the presentation and commentary from the group members. Their content and perspectives stimulated my sense of belonging. I want more of that. I was surprised to discover differences of opinion and differences in market bias. On more than one occasion I found myself disagreeing with the assertions and conclusions from fellow participants, and this added a feeling of credibility to this group and this process. If we all thought and talked the same way then this would just be another pseudo-cult that I had stumbled into. Also, it made me feel that I have an edge, even among colleagues who think the same way that I do and use the same tools that I use.

The structure of the content might be improved by splitting week 3 into multiple modules. I crave structure and at the same time I rebel against structure. I bounce between these two extremes. Around week 3, I think I was phasing into a mode of rejecting structure just as the most amount of structure was getting presented.

This was the time of heaviest content; mind map module 3. re: beliefs, feelings, & support. I think it would be easier to absorb these ideas if all of module 3 were divided across 3 weeks. My feelings of perfectionism kicked in and historically this creates a behavior of all or nothing.

From week 3 forward, I felt resistance to continuing with the mind maps. At the same time, I was struggling with my results, and trying to figure #@%& out.

Then, some distractions from my personal life kicked in but the group process continued. With each subsequent week I felt engaged but falling further and further behind. This is a familiar feeling. I felt this in institutional academic settings. I’m engaged at first, then I run into some resistance, I’d fall behind, and then it’s a struggle and I can’t wait until it’s all over.

In an institutional academic setting, I feel my grade for ExceptionalTrader's group process would be an incomplete or an F as I come into the final exam. At which point my talent and memory would kick in and I could squeeze out a high mark on the final exam only to complete the course with a C. In other words, mediocrity. Continuing with the metaphor, I would ask myself whether I simply wanted a mark of completion or the opportunity to gain mastery. If the later were chosen, then a repeat of the course until an A was achieved would be the next course of action.
Note: I wish our actual institutions treated learning in this manner. Kids shouldn’t be advanced based on their age group. They should advance based upon their mastery of the subject matter.
Thinking, beliefs, and declarations:

Approach avoidance

I had mixed feelings at times.
I wanted the interaction with you and others
I also wanted isolation and solitude

These feelings seemed to align with my results. When I had what I considered to be good results I wanted the interaction. When I had what I considered to be failures I felt shame and wanted to withdraw.

I’ve been involved in support groups in many contexts for my entire adult life. Everyone talks about tough love, but all that I feel is the tough part. I rarely feel the love part. No one’s tough talk can rival my private criticisms. The one exception would be from the person who asks me to not be so hard on myself, to relax a little bit, or to take a breath.

Gratitude & Conclusions

Terry, you have my gratitude. I feel more empowered to continue the work of becoming a pro than ever before. I feel that I have the tools and resources to continue the process of discovery. Discovering what works for me. Discovering what doesn’t. Feeling the freedom to fail. And feeling the freedom to succeed. I feel that it’s ok for me to achieve results greater than anyone would predict. It’s ok for me to be extraordinary. It’s ok for me to stand out. I’ve had a spirit that prompts me to strive, to push, to attempt new things.

You’ve expressly given me permission to fail, and I needed that. In your own way you suggested the don’t give a &$@# attitude, and I’ve modified it to become my own. I’m optimistic that greatness is present within me, and 2015 is to be exceptional. When that occurs, I know the perfect response.”

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“Dear Terry, I am enthusiastic to be writing this letter, as I know that each time in the past that I’ve put the energy of my intention behind the course I’m charting, I manifest it. This letter is about where I’ve been, where I’ve come so far and my vision of where I’m going. In a word, the ‘job’ that I had before I met you was one I pretty much ‘fell into’. It wasn’t that I didn’t like what I did, but it was more that I found satisfaction in what had come my way—I was actually taking ownership and constantly remodeling what I inherited. When we started our process the game changed drastically. We stopped remodeling my existing business and started to build anew.

What we built came out of my vision, my values, and my choice and from that starting point I began to manifest my opportunity to grow a business that was fresh and inspired and an outgrowth of who I was. In the 5 months since December, when we began our work together, I have accomplished more than I have accomplished in the 8 years of my doing business on my own and I have in these 5 months already doubled my income from last year: I have built my dream office at home, complete with a state of the art trading room, I launched a website, created a logo and graphics, and a first class delivery platform for my commentary, wrote a chapter for a book published by ‘XYZ’, got all my bookkeeping and files in order and streamlined, cut expenses by $8,500/year, increased my productivity by adding roughly 5 hours a day of work time by not having to travel, solidified my methodology for reading the markets, developed a process and collateral materials by which to facilitate traders in their read of the markets, held my first training on site, terminated a client by choice, contracted 9 people for my course, 3 of which completed the process successfully.

I have exceeded my annual goals by 300% (since I only thought I’d go through 2 processes) and it is only month 5, built some fine relationships with 10 wonderful people, discovered a congruent and exceptional friendship with you and Marilyn and, all the while, I have actually simplified my life. And that Terry is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of where I’m going. My vision going forward is to continue to simplify my life, clarify my vision, deepen my connection with my values, and solidify my base from which I’m manifesting my products and services of my company.

So Terry, this is my manifesto out of which I will go on to start to build the next leg of my business. Thank you for your support, and your vision and capacity, and most of all your belief in me to succeed in their process.”